Add a tie mirror to make morning routine easier
December 17, 2015
Photo courtesy www.chicagoillinoisweddingphotography.com.
The perfect closet has many elements, and yes, one of those is an exceptional tie rack — but there are other pieces that can just as easily aid in your morning routine. If you are tying a necktie every morning, a great wall mounted mirror is a must as well. Small, lighted mirrors are great in the bathroom for ladies who wear makeup, but they’re great for guys too.
This double-sided and lighted wall-mounted mirror is just the perfect size. The double jointed arm can fold flat against the wall, conserving space. You have your choice of brushed or polished nickel, bronze and chrome.
Lighted Mirror – Double-Sided Wall Mount Features
- Four attractive finishes: Bronze, Chrome, Brushed Nickel and Polished Nickel.
- Limited 3-year manufacturer’s warranty.
- Cool bright light.
- 3900 Kelvin rating.
- Long-lasting LED light.
- Hard wired.
- Please note: photo does not show cord or plug.
- Mounts to wall using included hardware.
- Double-sided mirror has 1X and 5X magnification.
- Tilts and pivots with the articulated arm.
- Use for makeup application, tweezing and other grooming activities.
- 9 W x 16 D inches when fully extended.
- Extends to 16 inches.
Take a seat: Shoe storage bench does double duty
December 15, 2015
Shoe storage is a never ending issue in my home as my shoe collection continues to grow to unnecessary numbers. I have an over the door rack in the spare bedroom, shelves in the top of my closet, a rack in the bottom of the front closet… but I need MORE! In my effort to try and squeeze more shoe storage into my tiny home, I accidentally knocked out two birds with one stone.
Shoe storage benches are nothing new. My grandmother used to have the cutest little wooden one in her laundry room by the back door. The seat flipped up and there was a ton of storage inside. Flip flops, gloves and non-matching sneakers lived in there for my entire childhood.
So I was very reminiscent shopping around for a nice shoe storage bench to add my to my front room. In my hunt, I came across three contenders.
The first might be my favorite. This bench with a flip-up seat also features six cubbies in the front. I love the multitude of storage in this piece because I could easily tuck away winter accessories that I don’t always need, while still having space to store and access the shoes I do always wear. The rich wood grain would be an excellent accent in my home, plus the cushioned seat is a great place to tug off wet winter boots.
The next one I like is very similar to the first, just a little more streamlined. This bench does not have the inner storage compartment, but has similar six cubbies in the front. Because there is no inside compartment, these cubbies are deeper and therefore can store more.
My final choice has more of a modern style. Available in three finishes, the storage bench features one large cubby that is perfect for a small tote, two shelves and a covered storage area. I like this piece because of it’s versatility and it’s sleek design. The clean lines would look great in any contemporary home.
All of these pieces are an easy way to add storage and seating to your mudroom, front entrance or foyer.
Unique cookie storage to share your home baked goodies
December 9, 2015
Christmas cookies are a huge tradition for my family. My mom has always baked up a huge stash of ’em, all different kinds. And as I get older, I still enjoy making them. It’s not the holidays unless I have a couple batches of festive cookies to share with family, friends and co-workers.
But I always hit a snag every year, and it has nothing to do with my perfected recipes. It’s storage. I either end up tossing them in cheap tupperware that I have no chance of ever seeing again or I spend too much money on cutesy cardboard boxes.
Solution
The solution was so obvious, I can’t believe I never thought of it — mason jars. They’re inexpensive, can be bought in quantity and they keep cookies super fresh! They’re easy to jazz up with some ribbon and gift tags for a friendly gift, too. A big bonus for me is that I can keep different cookies separate. One jar of gingerbread, another of sugar cookies and they’re ready to be gifted without compromising flavor.
Personal touches
If you’re not looking for the quantity, I have some other recommendations. A cool option if you’re looking for something more personal is a glass food storage jar. Something like this design, which I found on our site, features a gasket seal that keep contents fresh. And once the cookies are gone, this jar is a great addition to any kitchen. Your giftee can store pasta and other dry goods.
Another route is tins. They too are great decorative pieces when you’re done and if you’re only sharing your sweets with a few people, you’re not breaking the bank on them.